Florida Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Call Us After a Distracted Driver Hits You

Most people today own a smartphone, which they use all the time. Unfortunately, some people will use their smartphone even while they are driving, creating an immediate and significant danger to themselves and everyone around them. If you have been hit by a distracted driver, then the odds are high that they were distracted by their phone at the time of the collision.

Proving that a driver was distracted will not be a simple matter, though. They are practically guaranteed to deny that they were using their smartphone while driving because they know it is reckless and illegal in most states. To build your claim with convincing evidence, you should work with The Dellutri Law Group, PA and our distracted driving attorneys in Florida. Using our extensive legal experience, we can work on piecing together evidence that the other driver caused your crash because they were distracted by one thing or another.

A few common driver distractions are:

• Smartphones
• Billboards
• Radio or music
• Passengers
• Eating
• Applying makeup

If we can prove the other driver was distracted, then we can pursue a maximum compensation amount on your behalf. Call (800) 391-4337 to get us on the case.

Three Types of Distraction in One Action

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data shows that about 9 people are killed and at least 1,000 others are injured each day in the country due to distracted drivers. The CDC also categorizes driver distractions into three categories, each capable of increasing the risk of a driver causing a vehicle accident.

The three types of driver distractions as outlined by the CDC are:

• Visual: Something that takes the driver’s eyes off the road.
• Manual: Something that takes the driver’s hands off the wheel.
• Cognitive: Something that takes the driver’s mind off driving.

Smartphone use is among the worst forms of driver distractions because it combines all three forms of distraction into one bad action. Picking up a smartphone is a manual distraction, reading a text message is a visual distraction, and thinking about the message is a cognitive distraction. When all three types of distractions are engaged, the odds of the distracted driver causing a crash significantly increase.

To make the situation worse, cognitive distractions are believed to linger for upwards of 30 seconds after the distraction source is removed. For example, if a driver reads a text message and puts their phone back in their pocket, then they will continue to think about that message for at least another 30 seconds after the phone is out of sight. Driver distractions are not “out of sight, out of mind.”

Is Texting & Driving Illegal in Florida?

Florida law prohibits holding any wireless device while driving, whether it is a smartphone, GPS device, or Bluetooth communicator. Drivers who violate this law can be issued a citation or may face steeper penalties if they are a repeat offender. However, Florida law does not make it illegal to talk or use a cellphone while driving if a hands-free device is enabled.

Using a hands-free device like a Bluetooth speaker might be legally permitted, but it isn’t safer than not using a smartphone at all. If our Florida distracted driving accident attorneys can prove that the other driver was using a hands-free device when they crashed, then it could be a key to increasing their liability and reducing yours. Your case could go to civil court, which is separate from the criminal justice system, so the legality of using a hands-free device will not excuse the other driver of liability.

Standing Up for Clients in Difficult Situations

Bringing an injury claim against another driver is never easy, but it needs to be done if you want to be fairly compensated for your injuries and damages. The distracted driver who hit you should be liable for your lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Our Florida distracted driving accident lawyers are intent on making sure the responding insurance company gives a fair and maximized amount of compensation, so you can find financial stability and a sense of closure as your case ends.

Allow us to do the following and more on your behalf:

• Investigate available evidence and seek out more sources
• Speak with eyewitnesses who saw your crash
• Consult medical experts to get a full understanding of your injuries
• File, pursue, and defend your claim as it progresses

Your complete satisfaction is our goal. Call (800) 391-4337 or contact us online now.